Trial begins in case of Ohio group home death

HAMILTON, Ohio (AP) — Jury selection has begun in the southwest Ohio trial of a teen charged with killing a fellow group home resident who authorities say died from head injuries after the teen allegedly assaulted him last year.

Jury selection began this morning in the trial of Lance Tiernan in Butler County Common Pleas Court in Hamilton. The now 18-year-old Tiernan has pleaded not guilty to a murder charge in 16-year-old Anthony Parker’s death. Tiernan initially was charged as a juvenile but later was indicted as an adult.

Police said Tiernan body-slammed Parker to the floor after Parker and another teen got into an argument Dec. 19. Authorities say Parker was found unresponsive hours later and was taken to a hospital where he died Dec. 28 of blunt force trauma to the head.